An icon is a religious image. Painting is part of Father Ecomomou's faith. This work was created for the Greek Orthodox Church of St Constantine and St Helen in Upper Norwood.

Father Economou started decorating the church soon after it opened in 1976.

Father Demetrios Economou

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Father Demetrios Economou

Father Economou is both a painter and a priest:

"I felt my duty was to do something good. I thought my talent was to go to the walls in churches, to make beautiful churches."

"We prefer the image of the holy faces to have a more unrealistic expression because they are spirits, like angels, so we prefer their appearance to be spiritual rather than realistic. People tell me, 'Now I come very often to the church because I feel the presence of the Holy Man next to me, on the wall, you know?'. So my satisfaction is that I can offer to the people something more than blessings."

Painting icons

The work of Father Demetrious Economou is part of a long tradition. The oldest Christian icons were painted around 1500 years ago.

Icons are more than paintings. They are symbols to inspire faith. Believers reflect on them and use them to help them pray.

Different branches of Christianity have very distinct visual styles. Father Ecomomou's work hangs in Greek Orthodox churches.

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